AIDY Boothroyd will spend the next 48 hours deciding whether to pitch Sammy Clingan into the match against former club Norwich City.

The Northern Ireland midfielder has made impressive progress from the knee ligament injury he suffered at Nottingham Forest five weeks ago and Boothroyd confirmed: “He’s certainly an option.

“The plan was always to have him available for Palace but he’s been doing loads of straight-line running, checking and turning so he’s actually well ahead of schedule.

“It would be a risk but you’ve got to take risks sometimes so I’ll have a chat with our fitness people and think about it.”

Clingan is one of several candidates to replace suspended skipper Lee Carsley on Saturday.

“Aron Gunnarsson has played in there at international level,” said Boothroyd, “and I’ve got a lot of hope and faith in Conor Thomas.

“He’s very young but I’d have no problem about playing him because he’s one of the best one and-two touch players of that age I’ve ever seen and, like Nathan Cameron, he’s a good lad with an excellent temperament.

“I think he’s going to be a huge player for us in the future.”

Boothroyd revealed that, even if Carsley’s ban hadn’t forced his hand, he was contemplating a midfield shuffle against Norwich, possibly including a recall for former Canary David Bell.

“Belly is back in full training and he is a massive talent for us.

"I’d had always liked him as a player and he proved that in my first match in charge against Portsmouth when he was up against a Premiership quality full-back and turned in an outstanding performance – absolutely terrific.”